Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2011)
A new discussion with the stars o f the show that’s putting Portland on the map f i l e IFC comedy show “Portlandia” has taken t Portland and several pockets of America - Valeria: And minorities? Carly Bronksi.: Yes, although Portland is so including Wichita, Kan.; Biloxi, Miss.; and white, we figured we would only have a small Spread EOfgle, Wis. - by storm. percentage of the show dedicated to people of ^t^^^iooi^iasunlea.shedo'u^aceenlertai'iimeni color. We do have, this African-American woman on set that brings me coffee, though. reporter, Valeria Peacock, to interview the show’s creators, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, about how they’re reinventing the way Portlanders look at Portland. • with Valeria Peacock C arolB row nnserve: I want to sing more. F erris Arm isinner.: You sing all the time, Carrie. S.R.: Isn’t that a little racist? Carol Brownstain: No, in Portlandia we believe Almost Hollywood homeless people, or your stupid cause. Let’s just say it will be funny, and your readers will really get kicked out of it. Hello Street Rooters! Valeria Peacock here. I recently had the choice opportunity of sitting down with the creators of “Portlandia,” Fred Armstein and Carrie Braunschweiger, to chat about their hilariously over-the-top depiction of our fair city. You probably know Fred as that guy from “Friday Night Lights” and Carrie as the female from that band L-7. Here’s what they had to say: that all people are equal and that the environment we create through community and learning from one another, and understanding the struggles of minority people and the Earth is something that we value Very much. We have equity in our show, and it shows. Look at the numbers. Valeria: There are already rumors, Carrie, that you will be posing for Playboy in the coming year - any truth to this?. Valeria: In your first season you’ve mentioned every important newspaper in Portland minus Street Roots. WTF? Caraoke Blunderberg.: Absolutely not. That’s not tiie image that I want to send about myself, or “Portlandia.” It’s about respecting your body and image, and making fun of people. Not being a total slut and having people making fun of me. Fred Armenian: Homeless people actually freak me out, so I never even thought about picking up your paper. What is it again? C arrie Blankstem: It’s a little too Portland for “Portlandia.” You know there are some things that only Portlanders g et Valeria: Axe you uncomfortable with this • Carles Bronson: But I want to sing more — about Portland. Fez A rmnhammer.: Jesus Christ. Valeria: Will we see more cameos by local Portlanders? F rank Armband: No, we’re going to continue to bring others in from New York and L.A. to beef up the skits. Really, I don’t care about Portland. The mayor was a good cameo for obvious reasons (laugh). I mean we could have done the show in Seattle and gotten Courtney Love to play a p art But honestly, at my age I can’t handle being tied up for that long off set and doing that much coke. In the end, I just want New York and L.A. to be a bit more like Portland, so I don’t have to dress up and play the role of a comedian all of the time. Carol Breadmaker: Fred, can I sing about this? interview? Cathy Brow beaten A little. Valeria:-Isn’t that the point of the show? Floyd Armybase: I don’t even know what you’re talking about, or saying. Who are you with again? Fred Arm istad The point of “Portlandia” is to poke fun at Portlanders, and other urban dwellers. Valeria: Where does the show go from here? .Valeria: Like homeless people? Fred Armeydick: The ideas are really endless, but honestly I wouldn’t tell you even if I did like F rank Arm edandangerous: Exactly Flip Armapirate.: Sigh. Valeria:: Any parting words? Carley Brow: I do care about homeless people, you know. You never really asked me. Fred Armisen.: Live from Portland. It’s Friday night. Wait, wait, that doesn’t work. Tina, Amy, Courtney, help. I’ve done it again. Inside Wu fang clan? Mayor Adams announces plans to run in 2012 A fter m onths o f waffling, Sam A dam s says he’s committed to enter the race. Page 3 ■ More embarrasing photos show pattern in David W u’s outfits ■ Page 8 » -to * * ' "Quit yer bitchin.” Obama sends an open letter to America. Page 14
